Braiding carrier



Aug. l, 1939. M KRlssu-:P

BRAIDING CARRIER Filed Aug. 13, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l FLE- L FLE--5..

N MR v INVENTOR: Jzzc yfzssqv) -BY Z ATTO Aug. 1, 1939. M, KRlsslEP BRAIDING CARRIER Filed Aug. l5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 "anllmm IIIIIII INVENTOR maal/ 9g) BY IgA/. l

Aug. 1, 1939. M. KRlSSlEP 2,167,930

BRAIDING CARRIER F'iledAug. l5, 1937 4 Sheets-SheerI 3 FLE--5-' Aug. 1, 1939. M, KR|ss|EP y 2,167,930

BRAIDING CARRIER Filed Aug. 13, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTORI l ATTO/a? Patented Aug. l, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRAIDING CARRIER Application August 13, 1937, Serial N0. 158,835

10 Claims.

My invention relates to textile fabricating machinery and more particularly to improvements in the construction of strand carriers for braiding machines and the like.

The production of a fabric on braiding machines requires that the strand or strands be fed to the braiding point from carriers which are actuated along a sinuous path formed in the raceplate of the machine. These carriers are preferably of metallic construction and include means for tensioning the strand released thereby as well as mechanism for stopping the machine either when the strand is ruptured or during other occurrences incident to the operation of the machine. The strand-carrying bobbin or spool, which is usually freely rotatable upon its mounting on the carrier, is preferably acted upon by a brake or detent arrangement during the operation of the carrier, in a manner necessary to control the release of the strand therefrom and thereby effect the desired degree of feeding tension.

The brake and tensioning mechanisms of prior art high speed braiding carriers are so constructed as to make it necessary to Support the bobbins at an elevation substantially above the base of the carrier. Obviously carriers of this type are not adapted for encient high speed operation because the location of the center of gravity of the carrier is so high that it increases the friction of the carrier on the raceplate by a prohibitive amount.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel braiding carrier of simple construction, which can be economically manufactured, is more efficient in its operation than prior art devices, and adapted to be used in different types of braiding machines with equal facility.

Another object is to provide a braiding carrier in which the center of gravity is so located as to permit of high speed operation Without alecting the eiciency of the machine.

A further object is to provide a strand tensioning device for braiding carriers which will exert substantially equal tension on the strands at all operative positions thereof and at all operating speeds of the machine.

A still further object is to provide a brake arrangement for the strand bobbin of such a device which exerts substantially uniform distribution of the braking action along the entire bobbin.

With these and other objects in view, which Will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a braiding machine carrier constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational View of the carrier shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in a different operative position, certain portions of the carrier being broken away and other associated mechanism being indicated in dot-and-dash outline;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the carrier shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 6 6, Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line '1 -1, Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 8--8, Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational View o-f a modied form of the invention; and

Fig. 10 is an end elevation, viewed from the rightA of Fig. 9.

A braiding machine carrier l0, Fig. l, constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a base portion 9 of well known and suitable construction from which a pair of upright arms or posts Il and I8 extend perpendicular to the braiding machine raceplate. A bobbin spool structure 2li which is rotatively supported on spindle 22 extending between the uprights Il and I3` comprises a pair of spaced end flanges 35 and 36 which are shaped to coact with a pair of brake shoes 3l and 38, respectively, pivoted to a foot portion II of the carrier I0. These brake shoes 31 and 38 are normally biased into holding engagement with the brake drums, fashioned upon the flanges of the bobbin spool, by resilient means in the form of a spring 45, the operation of which is controlled by means cooperating with a strand tensioning member 52. The strand tensioning member 52 is constructed and arranged to uniformly tension the strand or strands feeding from the bobbin regardless of the position assumed thereby. The tensioning lever 52 is preferably so arranged that it will cooperate with a stop actuator member 'IIJ to stop the machine when all of the tension is removed, as for instance occurs when the strand is ruptured, or when the strand becomes unduly slack thereby permitting the tension arm to drop to its rest or stop actuator operating position.

The carrier structure generally indicated at IU, Fig. 1, comprises the base or support 9 including spaced foot portions II and I2 which are connected to each other by a heart piece I3 in well known manner. The opposing surfaces of the foot portions II and I2 respectively engage the upper and lower surfaces of a raceplate I4 around which the carrier I is guided by the heart piece I3 which follows the raceway in which it is disposed. Movement is transmitted to the carrier by a pin I5 which is-successively engaged by the usual drive gears associated with the braiding machine. A double` armstandard I6 comprises arms or posts I1 and I8 which extend from the upper foot portion II in spaced relationship and converge into opposite sides of a top portion I9, Fig. 2', rendering the standard of inverted substantially U-shape on the carrier foot.

' The bobbin structure 2U, see Figs. 1 to` 6, inclusive, is rotatably mounted between the arms I1 and I8 on a spindle 22. Opposite ends of the spindle 22 are supported in` hub portions 23 and 24 of the arms. I1 and I8, respectively. A pin 25, associated withvthe head of the spindle 22 cooperates with a. complementary groove 26` formed in the bushing 23 to prevent rotation of the spindle; whereas a U-shaped latch element 21 is provided to prevent accidental displacement thereof. This latch element 21 is pivoted at a point intermediate its ends on a stud 28 in turn. secured to the arm I1 and comprises a pair of legs 32 and 33. A spring 34 wrapped aroundl the stud k28 and having its opposite ends engaging therbushing 23 and the bottom of the latch 21, respectively, urges the latch in a clockwise direction toits operative position, see Fig. 1, in Awhich the shorter leg 33 abuts the outer surface of the bushing 23, and the other leg 32 partially covers the adjacent head of the spindle 22 and thereby locks the latter in its operative position. Thus movement of the latch 21 in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 1, against the action of the spring 34 will; move the leg32 out of ralignment with the spindle 22 so as to permit withdrawal thereof and removal of the bobbin spool from the carrier.

Thel bobbin structure. 20 ycomprises' an outer spool portion including an axial cylindrical wall 2|, on which a strand 30 is, wound, and a pair of end ilanges 35 and 36 which are preferably circular in shape to effect individual brake drums, of equal diameter which coact with brake shoesor bandsy 31 and 38, respectively. The brake. shoes 31 and38, see Fig. '7, are carried by a brake block4r or arm portion 39 of a C-shaped lever 4ilwhi ch is pivotally mounted on a pin l42 secured toa lug 43, extending from the upper foot piece II, by a set screw 44, Fig. 2. The lever 49 isbiased in a clockwise direction, see Figs. 1 and 3, by a coil spring 45 which is coiled around a sleeve member 48 and is positioned between the free end of the arm 39 and alock nut 46 in turn threaded on a screw member .41. The screw`41 preferably comprises separate portions of different diameters, the smaller of whichisV threaded into the upper foot .plate VII .and is anchored thereto by jamming a shoulder of the heavier portion against the upper surface of the fo'ot plate in the manner better illustrated in Fig. 8, :although a screw of uniform diameter throughout may .be pinned,

brazed or otherwise secured to the foot plate II to produce an equally effective arrangement. The sleeve 48 is adapted to be slipped over the screw 41 which, in turn, is threaded to receive lock nuts 46 and 49 used to lock the sleeve 48 on the screw 41, Thus in. order to maintain suicient clearance between the free end of the arm 39 and nut 49 to permit proper operation of the brake structure and to maintain the desired degree of tensioning action in the spring 45 regardless of the wear occasioned on the brake shoes 31 and 38, the sleeve may be locked in any desired position on the screw 41 by resetting the lock nuts 46 and 49. It will be observed that ample clearance may thus be provided between the free end of the arm 39 and the nut 49 to permit the full force of the spring 45 to be transmitted to the brake structure, and that means is thereby provided for adjusting the mechanism to maintain this clearance and compensate for wear on the brake shoes.

Mean-sis provided Yfor releasing the brake when strand 30 is to be fed from the bobbin, in the form v'of a release arm portionV 50 of the pivoted lever 49. A tensioning arm 52, which is pivotally mounted on an axle 53 carried by arm portions 55 and 56 extending from the upright arms I1 and I8, respectively, Fig. 2, carries a strand guiding roller 51 atone. end and a lug portion 58 at its other end; the lug portion58 coacting with the free end 58 of the lever 40 to move the latter in a counterclockwise direction (Fig, 1) against the action of the spring 451whenever the tension on the strand 30 is of sufficient intensity to move the lever 4Q from .the position shown. in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 1. The axle 53 is held against axial displacement by cotter pins 54, 54 carried on opposite ends of the axle 53 outside of the arm portions 55 and 56, respectively.

The strand 39 follows a tortuous path when passing from the bobbin to the braiding point (not shown), successively passing around. a guide pulley 59 which is turnably mounted on a stationary lug 60 extending from the post I8, around the roller 51, thence through ahollow member G2 turnably mounted in theV top portion I9 and finally over. a pulley wheel 63. and through an oval-,shaped guide channel 54 before passing from the carrier to the braiding point. The guide pulley 63is turnably mounted on an axle 55 carried by upright sections of the member .62, which uprights converge into the oval-shaped guide channel 64 through .which the strand fed from the bobbin is guided in a manner preventing jumping of the strand from the guide pulley.

It will be observed that the strand tensioning lever 52 is biased toward the position indicated in dot-and-dash outline inFig. 3 by a coil spring 66 .which encircles the hub portion` of the lever 52anda collar.,61 carriedby the axle 53 adjacent said hub portion. The spring 66 has its opposite ends hooked around the tensioning lever 52l and the arm portion 56, respectively, in the manner shown in Fig. .2. This arrangement provides an effective means for varying the length of the strand between the guides 59 `and 63 to compensate for the carrier` drop as the carriers move toward and from the braidingpoint while moving through the raceway, meanwhile constantly maintaining the=necessary tensionon the strands fed therefrom to permit the production of fabric of `a uniform texture.

During the operation of the braiding machine the lever 52 operates to tension the strand when moving between the full-line and the dot-andand-dash position of Fig. 3, in which a lug dash line positions, indicated in Fig. 3, while the bobbin is held against rotation by the associated brake structure. However, when the tension lever 52 is moved to the position shown in Fig. l, the lug 58 abuts the release portion 5i?, thereby turning the lever 40 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 42 to release the brake against the action of the compression spring 155, whereupon the bobbin 2G is free to rotate about its axis as the strand til is fed therefrom. Upon movement of the lever 52 from its Fig. l position to that indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, as for instance results when the strand Ell becomes slack, contact between the lug 58 and the free end of the arm 5i) is broken, whereupon the brake structure again operates to prevent rotation of the bobbin spool. It will be observed that this arrangement and construction of the tensioning apparatus provides for maintaining substantially uniform tension on the strand regardless of the position occupied by the lever 52. Thus although the tensioning action of the coil spring t increases as the lever is turned in a clockwise direction about its pivot, Fig. 3, nevertheless the effective tensioning action transmitted to the roller 5l remains substantially constant inasmuch as an increase in the action of the spring itself is balanced by a corresponding decrease in the effective lever arm thereof, and vice versa, and consequently the resultant tensioning moment of the structure remains substantially constant for all operative positions of the lever 52.

A rod 68, shown in dot-and-dash outline in Fig. 3, is preferably provided which coacts with a machine stop actuator mechanism (not shown), of well known and suitable construction. This rod 68 is turnably mounted on the raceplate ifi and is supported uprightly by a collar 69, and has an arm 'iii rigidly secured at its upper end. The arm iii is normally positioned, as indicated in Fig. 3, so as to be disposed in the path of the lever il? whenever the latter drops to the dot- 'l2 carried thereby engages an offset portion i3 of the post il; whereupon continued operation of the carrier causes the free end of the lever 52 to move the arm lb which turns the rod 458 and thereby stops the machine. Obviously the lever 52 assumes the dot-and-dash position of Fig. 3 only under certain conditions, as for instance when the strand 3U is ruptured or when an unusual amount of slack occurs in the strand7 in each of which cases it becomes essential that the machine be stopped before defective fabric is produced and before the machine is damaged. It is evident from the drawings that the brake mechanism operates to hold the bobbin at rest whenever the tension lever 52 is in its machine stopping position.

The strand guiding arrangement carried at the top of the carrier is turnably mounted in the portion if! in order to permit the guide to automatically reposition itself so as to align the wheel 63 and the channel portion 54 with the braiding point as the carrier moves into different positions` during its travel around the raceway.

In the braiding carrier illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 a latch and ratchet arrangement is 'pron vided in place of the friction shoe structure used in the carrier shown in Figs. l to S, inclusive. This modified form of the invention generally indicated at lli! comprises, as in the case of the carrier it, a base portion M9 including upper and lower foot portions I Il and l l2, respectively, which are spaced from each other by an intermediate heart piece H3 which guides the carrier through the raceway of the braiding machine. As in the carrier I0, a pin H5 extending from the lower foot plate H2 of the carrier li@ successively cooperates with each of the usual drive gears to be driven thereby over the raceplate of the braiding machine. An upright double arm standard IE6 comprising parallel arms or posts l il and HB extends from the upper foot plate iii as illustrated in Fig. l0. The upper ends of the posts Hl and l i8 converge into opposite sides of a top portion H9 thereby effecting a rigid structure upon which. the strand feeding mechanism is operatively supported.

A bobbin i2ll is turnably mounted on a spindle i22 opposite ends of which are supported in hub portions 23 and 52d respectively associated with the posts Il'l and H8 of the standard, said spindle being held in position in said standard lll? by the longer leg of a generally U-shaped member E21 which is pivoted on a stud it@ secured to the post IH and which is biased into spindle holding position by a coil spring i315 as previously explained in connection with the carrier Iii. The strand supply ii which is wound upon the bobbin spool lZ is fed from the latter over a guide roller f5.9, turnably mounted on stationary lug i60 extending from the post lit. thence under a second guide roller i5?? carried by a swingable tensioning arm or lever i 52 which is pivoted on an axle 553 carried by arm portions H55 and iii of the posts Hl and liti respectively, and finally through an opening in a guide member 662 turnably mounted in the top portion i iii. from which it passes to the braiding point over a guide'pulley E53. In the carrier lib, as in the carrier i@ the proper tensioning action is imparted to the lever 52 by a coil spring itt, oppon site ends of which are connected to the lever i5? and the arm lli, respectively. A collar member it? carried on the axle 53 and the hub portion of lever 52 support the spring it@ in a manner permitting free operation thereof as is illustrated in connection with the carrier iii in Fig. 6. A lug portion H2 of the lever l52 is provided for cooperation with a ledge H3 formed on the post HT.. to limit the downward travel of the lever.

The brake mechanism of the carrier llt for controlling the feeding of the strands from the bobbin spool i253, includes avlatch and ratchet arrangement comprising end flanges 35 and ISE on the spool l 2li in the form of ratchet wheels. the notches of which are shaped to coact with cornplementary shaped portions on a crosspiece liiii of a `rectangular shaped lever E82, Fig. l0. The cross-piece lil extends across the carrier i from one side of the bobbin spool liu to the other side thereof, thereby permitting a single piece itil? to cooperate with the ratchets formed on both of the end iianges H35 and it. top crosspiece i183 which is connected to the lower crosspiece I3@ by intermediate strip members 85 and H86. The lever H32 is shown as being pivotally mounted on the heads of screw members itl' threaded into the posts Ill and H8 respectively; spacer elements I 83, in the present instance secured to the lever |82, are positioned between the standard liti and the lever i82 to permit free operation of the latter.

Unwinding movement of the bobbin spool Hifi is permitted when the lever 52 is moved clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 9, whereupon a lug portion i extending from the lever i552 engages the top crosspiece ISS and moves the lever i82 thereby causing the holding portions on the The lever i312 also has a crosspiece |80 aligned with the end anges |35 and |35 to be lifted out of holding engagement with the ratchets. A resilient member |92 having opposite ends secured to the post ||8 andthe crosspi'ece |83, respectively, normally maintains the lever |32 in braking or holding position relative to the bobbin spool.

The present improved dual brake structuresv in which the holding members coact directly with the outer periphery of the bobbin spool flanges effect a balanced and smoothly operating arrangement embodying distinct advantages over` the known prior art devices. Thus with the single braking devices the intermittent operation of the brake, which is applied on only one side of the bobbin spool, sets up Vibratory actions which disturb the smooth operation thereof and the resultant increased vvear loosens the parts and adversely aiiects the entire mechanism, Whereas a carrier of the present construction satisfactorily avoids these undesirable vibratory influences because of the balanced arrangement which acts With equal force on both ends of the bobbin. Furthermore, the positive quick-acting braking action embodied in these devices further adds to their desirability. This arrangement is particularly desirable in so far as the heavier type carriers are concerned, such for instance as are used in machines used to braid Wire and the heavier type yarns. The 10W center of gravity embodied in a carrier of the present construction, along with the ease with which the bobbin spool may be removed from the carrier,

makes it particularly adapted for use on highV speed machines; whereas the general construction renders it suitable for use either with horizontal or vertical type braiders.

Furthermore, a carrier of this construction may be used with equal eiectiveness either When feeding a single strand or a plurality of strands from the same bobbin, and may be used with or without a stop actuator arrangement, such for instance as is illustrated in dot-and-dash outline in Fig. 3.

Obviously, the improvements specifically shown and described by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modied in various ways Without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

l. In a carrier for braiding machines and the like, the combination comprising a base portion, a standard extending from said base portion, a bobbin rotatably mounted on said standard including circular end nanges, and a brake structure cooperating with said anges; said brake structure comprising a brake block having brake shoes respectively aligned Ywith said flanges, a studY member secured to the base portion, and resilient means supported by said stud cooperating with said brake block for biasing said brake shoes into engagement with said anges.

2. In a carrier for braiding machines and the like, the combination comprising a base portion, a standard extending from said base portion, a bobbin rotatably mounted on said standard including circular end flanges, and a brake structure cooperating with said flanges; said brake structure comprising a brake block having brake shoes respectively aligned with said flanges, a stud member secured to the base portion, a sleeve carried by said stud, means for locking said sleeve to said stud member, and a compression spring carried by said sleeve between said sleeve locking means and said brake block for biasing the brake shoes into engagement with said flanges.

3. A carrier for braiding machines and the like,

comprising a base portion, a standard extending from said base portion, a spindle carried by said standard, a bobbin rotatably mounted on said spindle including circular end flanges, a brake structure cooperating with said flanges for controlling the operation of the bobbin, and a U- shaped member pivoted on said standard having one end thereof normally abutting a portion of the standard and the other end aligned with the spindle to hold the spindle in operative position.

4. In a braiding machine comprising a stop motion mechanism including a carrier operated arm, a braiding carrier comprising a base portion, a standard extending from said base portion, a bobbin rotatably mounted on said standard including end iianges, a brake structure including a lever pivotally mounted on said base portion and cooperating with said flanges to control the operation of the bobbin, a spring operating between said base portion and said lever for biasing thel latter toward said flanges, and a strand tensioning member pivoted on said standard about an axis above the axis of the bobbin and operative to control the release of said brake structure and the operation of said carrier-operated arm upon movement to opposite ends of its operative stroke.

5. In a braiding machine comprising a stop motion mechanism including a carrier operated arm, a braiding carrier comprising a base portion, a standard extending from said base portion, a bobbin rotatably mounted on said standard including end flanges, a brake structure including a lever pivotally mounted on said base portion and cooperating With said flanges to control the operation of the bobbin, a spring operating between said base portion and said lever adjacent to an end of the latter for biasing the lever toward Vsaid anges, a strand tensioning member pivoted on said standard about an axis above the axis of the bobbin and operative to control the release of said brake structure and the operation of said carrier operated arm upon. l

movement to opposite ends of its operative stroke, and resilient means cooperating with said strand tensioning member biasing the latter into operative alignment with said carrier operated arm.

6. A braiding carrier comprising a support, bobbin bearing means on the support, a bobbin rotatably journaled by said bearing means, annular brake means carried bythe bobbin, brake shoe means mounted on the support in movable relation to the support and to the bobbin for cooperation with said annular brake means on the bobbin, means for resiliently biasing said brake shoe means toward said annular brake means, means for positioning said resilient biasing means, and means for compensating for relative Wear between said cooperating annular and brake shoe means and maintaining a substantially constant degree of actuating force of said resilient means against said annular brake means on the bobbin irrespective of said Wear, comprising means for bodily adjusting said resilient biasing means relative to its said positioning means, and means for adjusting the force of said resilient biasing means against the annular braking means in any position to which the resilient biasing means may be bodily adjusted.

'7. In a carrier for braiding machines and the like, the combination comprising a base portion, a standard extending from said base portion, a bobbin rotatably mounted on said standard including circular end flanges, and a brake structure cooperating with said flanges; said brake structure comprising a brake block having brake shoes respectively aligned with said flanges, a stud member secured to the base portion, resil-v ient means supported by said stud cooperating with said brake block for biasing said brake shoes into engagement with said flanges, and a strand tensioning arm pivotally mounted on the Standard above the axis of rotation of the bobbin for controlling the operation of said brake structure.

8. A braiding carrier comprising a support, a bearing means on the support, a bobbin journalled by said bearing means on the support with a horizontal axis, strand tensioning means including a lever arm having a horizontal axis parallel to, and above, the bobbin axis, a strand guide at one end of said lever arm, a bell lever pivoted on said support at a point closely aligned vertically with the pivot of said lever arm and having one arm extending beneath said bobbin and adapted to having braking engagement therewith, spring means for urging said arm into the braking engagement with the bobbin, the end of said pivoted lever removed from the strand guide thereon being adapted to engage the` other arm of said bell lever to maintain the bobbin free of braking effect so long as the strand guide on the pivoted lever is engaged by a tensioned strand, and a standard on the support on which the bearing means are mounted, the pivots for the brake bell lever and the strand guide carrying lever being arranged on one side of the .vertical line through the axis of the bearing means for the bobbin and the spring means being mounted on the other side of said vertical line.

9. A braiding carrier comprising a support, a bearing means on the support, a bobbin journalled by said bearing means on the support with a horizontal axis, strand tensioning means including a lever arm having a horizontal axis parallel to, and above, the bobbin axis, a strand guide at one end of said lever arm, a bell lever pivoted on said support at a point closely aligned vertically with the pivot of said lever arm and having one arm extending beneath said bobbin and adaped to having braking engagement therewith, spring means for urging said arm into the braking engagement With the bobbin, the end of said pivoted lever removed from the strand guide thereon being adapted to engage the other arm oi said bel1 lever to maintain the bobbin free of braking effect so long as the strand guide on the pivotal lever is engaged by a tensicned strand, and a machine stop set at one side of the axis of the bobbin, the pivoted lever having a strand guide thereon being adapted to drop across and above the bobbin and to engage and operate said machine stop upon the release of tension of the strand,

10. A braiding carrier comprising a support, a standard on said support, a bobbin journalled in said standard on a horizontal axis, a bell crank brake lever pivoted on said support at one side of the vertical line through said axis and having one arm extending beneath said bobbin and adapted to have braking engagement therewith, a lever having a strand guide at one end and pivoted on said standard approximately above the pivot of said bell lever and above the bobbin, the other end of said guide carrying lever being adapted to engage the other arm of said bell lever to maintain a non-braking position while the strand is under tension, spring means operating on said brake arm at a point on the other side of said standard from the pivot of the bell lever, and a machine stop on the same side of the standard as said spring means, said guide carrying lever adapted tofall above and across said bobbin when the tension on the strand is released and to operate said machine stop when in released position.

MAX KRISSIEP. 

